Section B Ι New Build Invesments

Thursday, 22 September 2016, 10:30-11:00h/B03

"Fortuna” at Lausward: a modern, highly flexible CHP megaproject reduces emissions with improved efficiency

Martin Giehl, Stadtwerke Düsseldorf, and Lothar Balling, Siemens AG, Erlangen

Now up and running at the Lausward location in the port of Düsseldorf, the new "Fortuna" combined cycle power plant (CCPP). Thanks to innovative technologies, outstanding engineering, pooling of EPC skills for optimized power plant solutions, and excellent cooperation between EPC and the client, Fortuna provides an environmentally friendly and economical power and heat supply for a low-CO₂ future featuring the following data:

• 61.5% net efficiency
• 603.8 MW of electrical output from a single-shaft installation
• 422 MW from one gas turbine
• 300 MWth of heat for district heating from a single unit.
• Highly versatile operation
• Extra-low CO₂ emissions
• 19 days ahead of schedule
• Zero accidents during the entire course of the project

Building a plant of this size in the middle of a large city worked out fine in the end, because particular emphasis was placed from the very onset of the project on harmonious architecture and minimizing pollutant emissions and noise.
The Lausward location is a prime site for power plant projects thanks to the ability to make use of the extensive infrastructure already in place:

• a high-capacity and still expandable gas network,
• efficiency-enhancing river-water cooling,
• proximity to power and district heat consumers
• systems shared with other units
• nearby link to the power grid

The technologies and solutions used significantly enhance the power plant's versatility in operation and pay off at various points in the operating regime:

• in 25 minutes from 0 to 100 percent load
• in 25 minutes from 100 percent to 0 load
• load ramps of 55 MW per minute. This also meets the special demands made on grid stability due to integration of power from renewable sources.
• Clean-Range System permits running at part loads down to < 35%. This extends the available load range, enabling the client to reliably meet the needs of the district heating system even at times of low demand for electric power.

Summary and outlook

The "Fortuna" power plant operated by the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf municipal utility proves with its smooth-running and highly reliable operating performance that investing in highly versatile combined cycle power plants pays off even in difficult market environments – key factors are their high fuel efficiency, their on-line versatility, and the amount of heat that can be tapped for district heating. With these features, combined cycle plants take on an essential role in delivering an affordable and sustainable energy supply for the future, as partners to renewables and as a guarantee of a reliable supply.